Ferritin level of 9, GP not concerned, but I feel awful

[cutefluffyunicorn]

I recently had bloods done after contacting GP about experiencing extreme dizziness and fast heart rate when standing up. Bloods were all mostly OK. I'm not anaemic as haemoglobon was fine. Only real abrnomrality was a ferriting level of 9. reference range from the lab was 10-291, so GP described it "borderline" rather than abnormal result. BUT from my own research it suggests that this is actually really low, and you can get symptoms, even without anaemia, when levels are really less than 50.
I am jsut recovering from a severe depressive epsiode , but although my mood is now much better I am expereincing a lot of physical health symptoms inluding lots of dizziness, tiring more easily, overall fatigue, brain fog, thinning hair which just wont grow, palpitations and excessively fast heart rate with any sort of activity (for example vacuuming the lounge the other day sent my HR to 130 and left me breathless and dizzy) I was previously fairly fit, running 5- 10K fairly regularly so I definitely feel something is off.
I did manage to pursuade GP to (reluctantly)prescribe some ferrous sulphate but there are no plans to recheck bloods or follow up at all.

Any expereince of low ferritin without anamia? Did it make you feel awful? What dose of ferrous sulphate (or other) did you take? How long did it take to levels to rise and for you to feel better? Should I push for GP to recheck bloods at some point to see if improved?

Thanks for any advice

I'm so angry on your behalf op

It seems a national problem. Its disgusting. I know you might not want to, but would you put complaint in? You'd be doing all women a favour.

I don't know if it will help at all,but my friend who is a nurse told me next time I go to tell a white lie and say I have really bad restless legs and that should be enough to get an infusion.

Hope this helps some people, I do think a ferritin lower than 50 should be treated.

Especially with periods.

It's all disgusting of nhs.

I will definitely follow up with complaints etc. Also going to write to my MP to highlight the issue because as you say, this is actually a national problem.
I have loads of symptoms, including restless legs, all of which Ive listed to the GP, and she outright told me yesterday they cant possibly be being caused by low ferritin because my haemaglobin level is fine 😡I have even sent them links to various research which explains that low ferritin causes symptoms even without anaemia and they just dont care. They'd rather remain cluesless and then dismiss everyone as depressed or anxious. Andy yes of course, this is an issue with massively dissproprtionately effects women. I fully intend to keep fighting for this as Ithink it really needs to change for everyone that faces this in the future.

Thank you for fighting.

It's disgusting they don't know low ferritin symptoms when haemoglobin is fine.

Madness! Especially as a woman. You would never wish if, but if she had experienced half of what we have suffered she would have a VERY different opinion. A VERY VERY VERY different one.

Low ferritin IS a form of anemia, its iron deficient anemia. Its even in the name. Wtf.

These people.

actually, technically it isn't. Anaemia means having a low haemaglobin level. There are many possible causes for anaemia (eg B12 or folate deficicency, other disorders of blood production etc) and iron deficiency is one possible cause hence the term "iron deificiency amaemia" which means low haemaglobin levels caused by low iron. However, it is also possible to have low iron (as usually measure by checking ferritin) without anaemia ie with normal haemaglobin levels. And this is where it get tricky, as some doctors are very laacking in knowledge in this area and are unaware than you can have severe symptoms of iron deficiency even with a nromal haemaglobin level.

Totally agree, Women are massively overrepresented in expereincing this disorder, and of course it is easier to dismiss us as depressed or anxious of course! And yes, doubly dissappointing to expereince this from a female GP.

Interesting, this is very much me.

every day is s school day.

Ferritin at lowest was 3.7! Now it ranges between 11 worst and 32 highest with iron. However haemoglobin always fine.

Wondering why our ferritin could be so low? Km going to do some research as having a chill day.

Iron deficiency without anaemia can definitely cause many of the same symptoms as iron deficiency anaemia. Where I last worked the haematologists would often send people (often younger women) for iron infusion if the tablets weren't helping them. Very frustrating that this hasn't filtered down to some GPs. Especially with your other deficiencies suggesting an absorption problem.